Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15501, Lewis Gifford, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Gifford, Lewis
NUMBER
S. 15501
carded
CONTENTS

15349. Massachusetts
Lewis Gifford of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Sergt. in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. French in the War done for Sergt 10 mo P ~ 14 9.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 96 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of June 1833 and sent Hon J. L. Hodges Present Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1830 $193.32 Semiant. allowance ending 4/ Sept " 48.33 $141.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. K. Blair Clerk, Book R. Vol. 2. Page 28.
Burnt 77

10274
Louis Gifford
Sept 10 Malt Pubs 14 1.
24
6.13 + 16.06
Apr 25 1835
50 46.66
$96.66
P 355
Mr J L Harkness
Abner B Gifford
Westport Malt

10.274
BRIEF in the case of Lewis Gifford of Dartmouth in the State of Mass ts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70 years —  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     1 Jan y In 1776 3 Private Capt B o Billingsham Col l M c L e Co o enlisted   immediately after the above 9 do Ditto do do   Spring 1777 3 do Col l Hathaway's Reg t do   1777 1 Boatman not stated Volum o   1 March 1778 ✓ 10 Serg t Capt o T m Ingraham Co o enlisted   1780 ✓ 3 Private Capt o Geo o Claghorn do do  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated  enlisted for 5 months & enlisted for 6 months  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Dartmouth — Mass ts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 2 o 5 th & 6 th terms supported by a Witness — & the traditional evidence of two others — one a Clergyman — the latter certified to be credible persons —  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  The Official Character of the Giffords not certified to by the Clergy 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Stephens Examining Clerk.

State of Massachusetts County of Bristol - 3 S.S.
On this 30 th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in Open court before Hodijah Baylies Judge of the court of Probate now sitting at Dighton at Dartmouth in said County of Bristol.
Lewis Clifford of Dartmouth in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts aged Seventy five years last April - who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of long res., passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
says in the first place that on the first day of January in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy six he enlisted for three months, at Dartmouth aforesaid, in the company commanded by Benjamin Dillingham - soon after his enlistment he with the other troops assembled at Crans Inn, in Dartmouth and marched to Roxbury, from thence to Winter Hill, and after a short stay at Winter Hill they marched back to Roxbury and was placed at Dorchesters hill, his services while at Dorchesters hill was that of helping fortify to fortify that place, during this time the British fleet left Boston at the end of this three months he was discharged, has no recollection of receiving a written discharge after his discharge as aforesaid he returned home to Dartmouth, was in the regiment of Colonel French.
The said Lewis further says that immediately after he returned home from the above three months service he enlisted again into the service of the United States in the company commanded by Capt Dillingham for and during the term of six months and was placed at Fort Knobs cot in that part of old Dartmouth which is now Fairhaven on the East side of New Bedford River, during this term aforesaid nothing particular occurred in that vicinity, and the troops were engaged in and upon the fortification, when this term of six months expired he was not discharged and did not leave the service, but enlisted again in the same company under the same Capt Dillingham for three months longer, about this time Capt Dillingham was called away by some other cause that the said Lewis cannot at this time particularly recollect - left the Fort, and Capt Elisha Hathaway took his place, then the said Lewis remained at the fort
3 in the Robert Cottrell
2 6 mo 3 mo
Frank H. Fisher

under the command of said Hathaway untill the expiration of the aforesaid term of three months when he says he was discharged by Capt Hathaway, thinks the discharge was verbal, has no recollection of receiving a written discharge, after which he returned home
30m Prof L. C. L. C. L. C. The said Lewis further says, that some time in the Spring of Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven, at Dartmouth aforesaid, cannot recollect precisely the day or month - he enlisted again in the Service of the United States, for three months in a Company commanded by Capt Manasse Hampton in Colonel Hathaway Regiment and marched to Howlands Ferry in the State of Rhode Island was stationed at and near the Ferry, when we arrived at the Ferry the British had possession of Rhode Island. He recollects while there the British, some of them came down to the shore opposite where we were, and the Company that he the said Lewis was in fired at them across the River and that while firing at them the Cannon split and killed the gunner, the said Lewis at the time being near to the Cannon several pieces of it lodged in the side of his head, that a small piece remains in his ear to this day after this term of three months expired he was discharged verbally and returned home to Dartmouth aforesaid and remained at home some time. After this and sometime the same year cannot positively tell the day or month - it being at the time of Spencers Expedition, understanding they wanted men who were acquainted with managing boats, the said Lewis further says that he went to Howlands Ferry aforesaid, and volunteered his services for one month during which time he served in the boat company at the end of which he returned home to Dartmouth. The said Lewis further says that he has no distinct recollection of any person now living who was present and can testify to the two last mentioned services as above stated by him.
10-7m Prof L. C. L. C. L. C. The said Lewis further declares, that on the first day of March in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy eight he again enlisted into the Service of the United States at Dartmouth aforesaid, for the term of ten months in the Company commanded by Capt Timothy Ingraham, that immediately after his enlistment as aforesaid he went to Fort Knobscott aforesaid mentioned in Dartmouth aforesaid, and there remained during said term of ten months as aforesaid

and acted as orderly sergeant that some time the latter part of the Season of this year while the said Lewis was at said Fort, the British landed their forces, and marched up to the village of New Bedford on the opposite side of the river from where the Fort was, and set fire to the shipping then laying there, and destroyed nearly all of them, together with many Dwelling Houses, and Stores, and other property, at the expiration of the ten months above mentioned the said Lewis was discharged and returned home, he has no recollection of having a written discharge but thinks it was verbal.
648 3 m. The said Lewis further declares that some time in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty the prices day or month he does not now recollect, he again enlisted at Dartmouth aforesaid for the term of three months in a Company commanded by Capt George Claghorn - That immediately after said enlistment he marched to Newlands Ferry - crossed the Ferry and went to Rhode Island, stopped at Butts Hills a short time, from thence he went to Narragansett, to a place called Watch Hill and was stationed at various places along the shore of Narragansett watching the movements of the enemy who then lay in Garner Bay. at expiration of the then aforesaid three months, he was discharged and returned home, did not have a written discharge, that this was the last of his services in the Revolutionary War. Proof by John Hathaway.
And the said Lewis further says after being interrogated by the court, that he was born in Dartmouth in the County of Bristol aforesaid in the month of April Seventeen hundred and fifty seven, that he has a record of his age which he now exhibits  presents to the court, that he lived in Dartmouth aforesaid when he was called into the service; that he has lived in said Dartmouth since the Revolutionary War, and now lives in said Dartmouth.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares, that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to & admitted the day & year aforesaid
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate -
Lewis Gifforn

We Howard Tripp, a Clergyman, residing in Dartmouth in the County of Bristol and Lebedee A. Macomber Esq. residing in the same town, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Lewis Gifford who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy five years of age; and that he is respected & believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion ————— Howard Tripp Lebedee A. Macomber
herein subscribed the day & year aforesaid
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Depart- ment; that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Howard Tripp who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Dartmouth and that Lebedee A. Macomber Esq. who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bristol ss. }
I Anselm Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate, do hereby certify that the foregoing con- tains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Lewis Gifford of Dartmouth for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, the day and year first above written.
Anselm Bassett

I Jabez Hathaway of New Bedford in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy Six years testify and say - that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Seventy six - I was in the service of the united States, at Fort Knobscot on the East side of New Bedford river, and was in a Company commanded by Capt Benjamin Dillingham, that I served in said Company, at said Fort six months, that during said term of service I very well recollect Lewis Gifford of Dartmouth in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, he was in the same Company with me during the six months as aforesaid, after which Capt Dillingham for reasons unknown to me, left the Command at the aforesaid Fort - and we were placed under the Command of Capt Elzer Hathaway - I served about three months under Capt Hathaway aforesaid - during which time I well recollect Lewis Gifford aforesaid served with me making in all under both the above named Officers Nine months - I further testify and say that in the year seventeen hundred and eighty I was a soldier in the service of the United States in a Company commanded by Capt George Claghorn for the term of three months - during which time I was at Rhode Island at Butts Hill, Naragansett, and Watch Hill, and at different places from Watch Hill to Point Judith making the sound - and Lewis Gifford above named was in the Company with me during the aforesaid term of three months, and served as a soldier in said George Claghorn's Company. —
Witness Almer B. Gifford
Jabez Hathaway
State of Massachusetts
Bristol County } ss. — On this 31. day of July A.D. 1832. — the above named Jabez Hathaway personally appeared and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed was true in all its parts before me
On this sixth day of May A.D. 1833. Almer B. Gifford Just of the Peace And I further certify that the above named Jabez Hathaway is well known to me, that he is a credible witness and that his statement is entitled to full credit. Almer B. Gifford Just of Peace

I Elijah Maumbee of Dartmouth in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts - aged Seventy six years - testify and say - that I was a soldier in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution - that in the year Seventeen Hundred Seventy Eight - I was at Fort Knokscott in what was then Old Dartmouth - now Fairhaven - in the company and under the command of Timothy Ingraham. I served ten months at said Fort, that I am now well acquainted with Lewis Gifford of Dartmouth in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, that I was acquainted with him previous to the war of the Revolution - and that the said Lewis Gifford was at said Fort and in said company with me as a soldier during the ten months aforesaid. Witness: Henry B. Gifford      Elijah Maumbee marks.
State of Massachusetts } ss County of Bristol - }
On this 31. day of July A.D. 1832 the above named Elijah Maumbee personally appeared before me the subscriber and made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true in all its parts. On the 6 th day of May A.D. 1833, Henry B. Gifford justice of the Peace. I further certify that the above named Elijah Maumbee is well known to me - that he is a credible witness - and that his statement above is entitled to full credit. Henry B. Gifford Jud of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss.
I James Spratt, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Abner D. Gifford Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within & annexed certificate, is a
Justice of the peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
James Spratt
James Gifford Sept. 4, 1832

Explanation by Lewis Gifford , in answer to the Brief Objections, to the admission of his Claim for Pension. No. 10.278.
The said Lewis Gifford states as follows (to wit),
Query 1. Where and in what year were you born?
Ans. that he was born in Dartmouth in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts - in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven, in the month of April -
Query 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it?
Ans. I have a record of my age, which I now exhibit to the Court.
Query 3. Answered in the body of the Declaration.
Query 4. Answered in the body of the Declaration.
Query 5. Answered in the body of the Declaration.
Query 6. Were you a Soldier or an officer? if a Soldier did you ever receive a discharge from the Service; and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it? If an officer did you ever receive a Commission, and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Ans. I was a Soldier, and have no recollection of receiving a written discharge.
Query 7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the revolution.
Ans. Elder Danie Hicks - in whose church I have been a member for forty five years. Deacon Abial Davis, Jonathan Davis Joseph Gifford Esq., John Rogers, Gideon Rogers, Samuel Reed Adam Gifford, Jonathan Beckham, Piles W. Beckham Stephen Howland, John Anthony, Thomas Winslow, David Crow, William Gifford, and many more I might name in the same church with myself, but suppose the above suffice.

in answer to the VI. - the said Lewis Gifford says that while he was at Fort Knabott - as stated in his declaration - there was no Colonel Commandant acting in that Capacity at said Fort - that he the said Lewis with the other privates at that time placed at the fort aforesaid - were under the command of the Captain - named in his declaration and does not recollect of any higher Officer having the command at the said Fort at the time aforesaid -
Lewis Gifford
State of Massachusetts County of Bristol. } ss }
On this Seventh day of February 1833. - personally appeared Lewis Gifford above named and made Solemn Oath that the statement aforesaid by him signed is true according to the best of his belief.
and I further certify that Lewis Gifford above named is well known to me and in my opinion is a Credible person - that his Statement is entitled to full credit.
Wenona B. Gifford Just. of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. I Anselm Barnett Register of the Court of Probates in for said County of Bristol, and that Alnus B. Gifford is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that the signatures to the foregoing certificates purporting to be his are genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this eleventh day of May Eighteen hundred & thirty three Anselm Barnett

October 18, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Lewis Gifford, S.15501
Mr. Andrew Holmes Burgess 5111 West 23rd Street Cicero Illinois
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of Lewis Gifford of Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 15501, based upon the military service of Lewis Gifford.
He was born in April, 1757, in Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts. The names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, he enlisted the first of January, 1776, and served three months as private in Captain Benjamin Dillingham's company in Colonel French's Massachusetts regiment. Immediately after this service he enlisted and served nine months as private in Captains Dillingham's and Eleazer Hathaway's Massachusetts companies and was stationed at Fort Knabscot. He enlisted in the spring of 1777 and served three months as private in Captain Manasseh Kempton's company in Colonel Hathaway's Massachusetts regiment. He enlisted again in 1777 at the time of Spencer's expedition to Rhode Island and served one month in a boat company at Howland's Ferry. He enlisted March 1, 1778, and served ten months as orderly sergeant in Captain Timothy Ingraham's Massachusetts company. He enlisted in 1780 and served three months as private in Captain George Claghorn's Massachusetts company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 30, 1832, at which time he was living in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.

One Abner B. Gifford was justice of peace in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in 1832, and in 1833 Lewis Gifford stated that Joseph Gifford, Adam Gifford and William Gifford were residents of his neighborhood, their relation to the soldier not stated. The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the soldier's family.
Soldier's death not in Agency Book
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Assistant to Administrator

1939 Oct. 18. Inst. to Mr. Andrew Holmes Burgess N.C.
15501 INVALID.
File No. 15301
Lewis Gifford
Sergt. Prov. Mar.
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 142
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Robert Cottle of Westport in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts - aged 77 - upon, testify & say that I am well acquainted with Lewis Gifford of Dartmouth - who has applied for a pension.
That I was with him in the service of the United States in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six. Three months - under Capt. Benjamin Dillingham in Colonel French Regiment - at Winter Hill, Roxbury, and Dorchester Hill - that I am well knowing to his services said three months in the War of the Revolution - as a private, as above specified.
Robert Cottle
State of Massachusetts County of Bristol 3. S.
On this Sixth day of May, A.D. 1833. then the above named Robert Cottle personally appeared before me the Subscribed, and made solemn Oath, that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true in all its parts. and I do further testify that the above named Robert Cottle is well known to me - and I believe him to be a credible witness - and that his statement is entitled to full credit.
Almon B. Gifford Jus. of Peace

I Obed brushman of Dartmouth in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts. a Revolutionary Pensioner aged Seventy eight years testify as follows.
That I am well acquainted with Lewis Gifford of Dartmouth aforesaid who has applied for a pension, that I was acquainted with the said Lewis previous to the Revolutionary war; that in the year seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven. I was in the service of the United States in Capt. Manasseh Hampton's company - and in Colonel John Hathaway's Regiment, doing service in the State of Rhode Island - & stationed near Howland Ferry as called - I will recollect that the aforesaid Lewis Gifford was in the same company & Regiment with me - and to my certain knowledge the said Lewis served three months in said Regiment.
Obed
State of Massachusetts County of Bristol
On this, Seventh day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty three - personally appeared before me the Subscriber. The above named Obed brushman, and made solemn Oath that the deposition aforesaid by him subscribed is true. -
and I do further testify that the said Obed brushman is well known to me that he is a credible witness, and that his statement is entitled to credit. -
Almon B. Gifford Just. of the Peace

Cicero Illinois. Oct. 6 1934.
The Veterans Administration.
5111 West 23 rd. St.
Washington, D. C.
Mr. A. D. Hiller. Asst.
My dear Sir.
I wish to thank you for the Service and Pension Record. of Caleb Curtis a Soldier of the Rev. War. resident of Topsham Me. and that of his widow, Mrs. Susan Curtis. of the same Town as recd on the 5 th inst.
This information is to be used in our Norris Family Genealogy.
I wish to explain as to my request to ascertain if your office had sent me the Pension Record of one William Fuller. a Soldier of the Rev. War.
I have recd that record. on Jan. 22 1934. and it was misplaced under the heading of Norris. as your reply had mentioned service under that name in the case of our Nelson Norris and his brother George. as Soldiers in the Civil War. I had taken up the search after my last letter to you. and am pleased to have located your letter.
Will you please accept my sincere apology.
Will you please send me the Enlistment and Service Record. of Lewis Gifford. a Soldier of the Rev. War. and resident of Dartmouth Mass.
Also his Pension Record. based on that service. as found in Pension Rolls of 1835. Soldier was living in Dartmouth Mass. as of 1840. and was 85 yrs old. See. Census of Pensioners. June 1 1840 Page 27
I am hoping that I will be favored with the full record as one of his Grand sons. is of our Genealogy. Mr. Thomas James Gifford. now deceased. a well known resident and business man of New Bedford Mass.
This Mr. Gifford was a Civil War soldier. and a distinguished Member of the G. A. R. of his city. Also a Member of the Mass. Society Sons of the American Revolution. and Past Chaplain.
Thanking you in advance. for this and past service.
Very Resp. Yours.
Andrew Holmes Burgess